Did you know there are ‘Mummies’ in the Netherlands?
Before we delve into our story today, let me pose a “Did you know?” question. Were you aware that there are Mummies in the Netherlands? And not just any mummies but naturally mummified ones? If not, then you should definitely consider visiting this place.
It’s known as the Mummy Cellar (Mummiekelder) and is situated in the crypt of a small church in Wiuwert, a tiny village in the province of Friesland. The scientific community has yet to establish how the bodies have been so remarkably preserved since 1609. The crypt remains an enigma, harboring the secret of Wiuwert. Today, I’m here to unravel the mysterious tale of Wiuwert’s ancient mummies.
Where is Friesland?
Friesland, historically referred to as Frisia, constitutes the northernmost province of the Netherlands. With an extensive coastline along the IJsselmeer (the largest inland lake in Western Europe) and the Wadden Sea, Friesland is predominantly situated on the mainland but encompasses several small Wadden islands. The Frisians, proud of their distinct identity, consider themselves separate from the rest of the Dutch, boasting their own flag and language known as West Frisian (or simply Frisian).
Where is Wiuwert?
Wiuwert is situated in the heart of Friesland, nestled between Leeuwarden, Sneek, and Franeker. Originating on a mound around the onset of the Christian era, Wiuwert was initially focused on fishing. However, from the 18th century onwards, it gradually transitioned into a more agricultural community. Today, the village boasts a modest population of 240 inhabitants, but annually attracts over 10,000 tourists, drawn not for a church service, but to explore the 19th-century Reformed church and its burial vault beneath.
The Rise of the Labadists in the Netherlands
In 1650, Jean de Labadie, a 17th-century French Roman Catholic Jesuit priest, embraced the Reformed Church, aligning himself with the Pietist movement—a Lutheran movement combining biblical doctrine with a Reformed emphasis on individual piety and disciplined Christian living. In 1669, he established a radical Protestant community named the Labadists, drawing influences from Jansenism, Precianism, and Reformed Pietism. Labadie’s teachings gained significant traction in the Netherlands.
Formation of Labadist Community in Wiuwert
After Labadie’s death in 1674, his Dutch followers established a Labadist community in Wiuwert, attracting Reformed pastors from various regions who left their own parishes to join. The community, known for its strict discipline, separatism, and communal property, flourished with around 600 inhabitants involved in occupations like printing, farming, and milling. It even welcomed occasional visitors from England, Italy, Poland, and beyond. This unique society thrived until 1730.
The Story behind Nicholas Church of Wiuwert and the Crypt
The Saint Nicholas Church (Sint Nicolaaskerk), originally built in the 12-13th century as a dedication to Nicholas of Myra, retained its purpose until the Reformation. In 1609, the noble Walta family from the Labadist community, residing there, commissioned the construction of a crypt beneath the church for their burial. This marked the origin of the church’s crypt. Subsequently, some other members of the Labadist community were also laid to rest in this crypt.
The Mystery of the Ancient Mummies of Wiuwert
In 1765, carpenters made a startling discovery while carving wood in the church in Wiuwert – seven intact bodies in the burial vault. The shocked carpenters, who accidentally stumbled upon the find, rushed out of the Nicholas Church in panic. What made this discovery remarkable was that the bodies still wore their clothes, and their skin appeared as if they had just been buried there. Through various studies, it was later determined that these were natural mummies, not artificially prepared or embalmed but preserved due to the natural climate of the cellar.
During examinations at the former University of Franeker, two of the seven mummies disintegrated. Another one was allegedly smuggled, possibly to America, but no concrete evidence has ever been found. The remaining four include a fourteen-year-old girl who succumbed to tuberculosis in 1610, a woman who passed away peacefully in old age in 1618, a man who experienced a painful death from a jaw abscess, and the goldsmith Stellingwerf, who apparently died peacefully and was last buried in the basement in 1705. While the clothes have decayed, the bodies of the remaining four individuals are still present. Remarkably, even the eyeballs of the goldsmith are still intact!
Aside from the human mummies, several mummified animals like a cat and a few birds were also discovered, all preserved in the crypt.